>>282157623
Denji did love her at first sight. But you're right that she had to do certain things in the background to ensure Denji's loyalty, like taking out Reze before she reached the cafe.
But even if Denji no longer crushed on 'Kima, I think he'd always love her as a mother figure, which even Fuji himself pointed out. But that wasn't enough for Makima, she wanted his undivided attention in order to make her scheme more effective.